News Flash

Water Resources

Back Cove South Storage Facility Project

The Portland Department of Public Works would like to provide a status update regarding the Back Cove South Storage Facility (BCSSF) project.

This project continues the City’s efforts to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to Back Cove and Casco Bay with the installation of a 3.5-million-gallon storage facility to be located under the Preble Street playing fields. Additional information regarding the intent of the project can be found on the Public Works website under the Water Resources page and Current Projects.

The project was successfully bid and the construction contract has been awarded to Sargent Corp, with their design engineer being Woodard & Curran, at a contract price of $39,965,000. The project is anticipated to begin next week and last approximately two years.

The project will be broken up into a number of phases. This initial phase will involve the following:

• Installation of perimeter safety fencing

• Installation of pedestrian controls

• Traffic control signage

• Mobilization and set up of the project office trailers and restrooms

• Mobilization of project equipment and materials

• Hook-up of temporary power

• Building construction entrances

• Earthwork related to establishing a construction laydown yard

• Site demolition and removals

• Establishing erosion controls

• Topsoil stripping

• Initial fill placement and rip rap armoring along Back Cove

• Initial excavation to elevation 8.0’ in required areas

There will always be a walking trail around the playing fields that remains open during construction. However, please make sure you follow the onsite pedestrian directions as to which trail to use as it will change during different phases of the project. Additional information will be posted on the security fence surrounding the site. Please look for it.

Project work will typically run from 7:00am to 7:00pm during the project. The contractor will be utilizing a portion of the parking lot for construction and crew vehicles.

There will be a lot of construction vehicles accessing the playing fields so we ask drivers and residents to please be mindful in the area of construction and expect traffic delays.

We will be posting a lot of our public information to the city’s websites so please be sure to check regularly for project updates.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brad Roland, PE. He can be reached at 212 Canco Road, Suite B, Portland Maine, 04103; Telephone 207-874-8840; or brad@portlandmaine.gov.